Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd)
Air Marshal Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd), is a pioneer of the Mirage 2000 fleet. He commanded two operational bases and the IAF’s Flight Test Centre ASTE. He is presently Director-General Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi.
Articles Lists
Fifth Generation Fighters: India’s Choices & Options
As India rightly pushes for Atmanirbharta, it is very clear that the highest dividend for indigenisation in defence is in aviation sector. Aircraft requires the leading-edge technologies. No country shares high-end technologies. Also, obsolescence sets in early. For any country to sit on the global
PLA Air Force: Significant Air Power – Time India Must Act
Like the Americans and the Russians, China realised very early that one who controls the aerospace, controls this planet. They began setting up aircraft building plants, initially with the help of the Soviet Union, and later during their honeymoon with the Americans, they could get better technologi
Hub of Aviation Industry Manufacturing: India Needs Whole of Nation Approach
Atmanirbharta is clearly the flavour of the season. India is already the fifth largest economy of the world, and slated to be the third by 2027. It is the fourth most powerful military power, and growing. India’s civil aviation sector is the fastest growing in the world. India’s fighter aircraft
The Air War in Ukraine – Complexities and Challenges
As the Ukraine conflict enters 112th day, the global attention continues to be focused on the conflict between the two largest nations of Europe, Russia and Ukraine. Russia is moving closer to achieving its aim of extending total influence, if not annexing eastern Ukraine. Despite the huge asymmet
The Sinking of Moskva – Challenges for Large Surface Ships
The Russian warship cruiser Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, sank on 14 April 2022 during the conflict in Ukraine. The ship was hit by two R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles. Russia confirmed that a fire erupted and the ship sank. It is the largest Russian warship to have been sunk in
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – Can India be the Manufacturing Hub
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) began making unmanned aerial system (UAS) with the Fluffy target drone in 1970s, which was replaced by the reusable, subsonic, pilotless target aircraft Lakshya that first flew in 1985. Around 30 were produced and operated by all the services. The
Air Power in Ukraine Conflict
The global attention continues to be focused on the conflict between the two largest nations of Europe, Russia and Ukraine. The war began with contest of influence over Ukraine. The Western powers were trying to bring Ukraine into European Union (EU) and NATO fold. It was unacceptable for Russia to
China’s Growing Defence Exports – Implications & Options For India
The conflict in Ukraine will have a huge impact on global arms trade. Russia would have consumed a large amount of weapons and would need to replenish them. In view of the growing NATO threat, they would have to increase their inventories. The NATO itself has got galvanised and many members are talk
Indian Air Force – Game Changers in the Current Geo Strategic Scenario
“The one who controls Aerospace will control the planet Earth” was well established by the 1950s. The major powers began spending greater sums on aerospace. Air offers speed, range, accuracy, and lethality for achieving military effects. Air power and future of all warfare are intertwined. Air s
C 295 and India’s Aircraft Production Ecosystem
Indian government finally cleared Rupees 21,000 crore ($3 billion) Airbus-Tata project for 56 C-295W military transport aircraft. Additional six may be acquired by the Coast Guard. The long-pending deal for replacing the old HAL license-built HS-748 (Avro) planes of IAF will entail delivery of 16 EA